The alpaca is the treasure of the Andes that the Incas have protected for thousands of years. Learn everything about this precious fiber and how it has become popular worldwide.
Discover the rigorous manufacturing process that aims to consolidate this fine fabric globally.
Five thousand years ago, the ancient Peruvians learned to domesticate alpacas up in the heights of the puna, at 3,500 meters above sea level. Since then, various pre-Hispanic cultures, including the Incas, began to spin and wear their noble fiber as a gift from the gods.
Alpaca is the treasure of the Andes: its quality is clearly superior to cashmere and sheep wool (widely used in Persian carpets). It is thermal when it is cold and light when it is hot. It can be used in sweaters, jumpers, and skirts. Also as sheets and tapestries. Even in accessories: bags, purses, and belts.
The durability of alpaca allows it to be reused. Thus, 90% of alpaca is exported to countries like China and Italy. However, Peruvians should know that they can also wear quality garments.
How Alpaca is Made
"I was born surrounded by alpacas," says Bernardo Puma, a businessman from Arequipa and an expert in the sector. "I came to have my own company transforming this fiber, always giving it the necessary sustainability and supporting the communities in the purchase price," he says.
Bernardo details the careful production process of this superfiber.
Everything starts with the breeding of the camelid, whose gestation period averages 345 days. "The alpaca is born with its fleece. It weighs between 6 and 8 kg. It feeds on milk. At 10 or 12 months it can already be fertilized."
The small shearing of alpacas is done between February and March, while the large shearing is done in September, October, and November. It is a very careful process, subject to strict technical standards.
"The community members are trained for many years to treat the alpaca well," Bernardo explains.
After shearing, comes the commercialization process, in which the community members take the fiber to markets or collection centers. There, it is categorized according to the norm into Extra Fine, Fine, Semi-Fine, and Coarse. If the industry buys it, it does so according to its qualities: Royal, Baby, Super Baby, Fleece, Medium Fleece, Huarizo, or Coarse alpaca.
Finally, the classified alpaca passes to industrialization, manufacturing, and sale.
A Legacy That Must Be Spread
With more than 30 years of experience in the business, Bernardo now dedicates himself to spreading the knowledge he inherited from his Andean ancestors.
"Our company, in agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, gave the first alpaca fiber classification schools in the areas of Ayacucho, Cusco, and Puno, which has allowed these communities to have jobs," he says.
With these experiences under his belt, he now seeks to work hand in hand with PROMPERÚ on training in sustainable fashion and garment making. Bernardo acknowledges that the greatest importance of this sector lies in the foreign buyer due to the volume of sales, although he insists that it is necessary to educate the internal customer.
"The Peruvian buyer still does not realize they can wear quality. They are used to wearing synthetic sweaters and garments. But there is a process of change. Alpaca garments are also entering the Peruvian market," says the businessman.
Strictly speaking of quality, the best-selling alpaca sweater is Baby Alpaca. One kilo of Baby Alpaca yarn, at the industrial level, can range between 39 and 45 dollars. Is there a finer quality of alpaca? Yes: Royal Alpaca.
"It is similar to vicuña wool for its softness and fineness, but production is still low. Abroad, all qualities are sold due to higher purchasing power," adds Bernardo.
In 2019, Peru's alpaca fiber export reached a total of 23 destinations and a significant sum of US$57,483,000.
We can all continue to drive this thriving market that connects today's fashion with the tastes of our Inca ancestors.
Fact:
There are two breeds of alpaca in Peru: the Huacaya (85%), whose locks are curly, and the Suri (15%), with straight and softer fiber.